1
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes
my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
attained the highest rank in the Freemasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dignity
high position within society
remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in category
usually ranks plural
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously
covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell
smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad
the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rank
Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Illinois also rank among the bottom five on the index.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Michael Albertus, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, so at least four Republicans would need to break ranks for Kaine’s measure to succeed.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2026
Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
Farther up the gulch, the water formed a pool, which gave off a rank chemical smell.
—Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank
Verb
The airport had 596,583 flights in 2024—an 11% increase from 2023, when it was ranked seventh internationally.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Illinois also rank among the bottom five on the index.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Venezuela’s military ranks have grown over the past decade and have become ever more entwined with the country’s economic system and governance.
—Michael Albertus, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, so at least four Republicans would need to break ranks for Kaine’s measure to succeed.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
His Philly teams have never finished worse than 14th in total yardage, yet currently rank 23rd.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
Farther up the gulch, the water formed a pool, which gave off a rank chemical smell.
—Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
-
While of course folding and putting away your clothing is better than allowing shirts and dresses to accumulate in a pile on a chair, yes, there is such thing as too much folding.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Choose the oven’s steam setting if there is one and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The department classifies Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger under its highest Level 4 advisory, warning Americans about issues of terrorism, crime, kidnapping, and more.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Those only include what the police classify as murders or non-negligent manslaughter.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement Submissions of organizational information, along with alumni feedback and input from experienced business-building professionals, will be used to determine inclusion in the America’s Top Incubators & Accelerators 2026 ranking, publishing in August.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
-
With Texas’ loss, UConn received all 32 first-place votes for its first unanimous top ranking of the season.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The freedom to travel freely will allow those of us contending with a disability to live our lives with the same autonomy and dignity as every other citizen in our city.—
Gian Carlo Pedulla,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Principles like the moral equality of persons, the principle that everyone deserves dignity and respect, and that people should not be judged on the basis of morally irrelevant features beyond their control.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Videos appearing to show rows of body bags of those killed in Iran have emerged as anti-regime protests across the Islamic Republic stretch into a third week.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Haslet City Council has voted twice in a row to censure Mayor Gary Hulsey for not following city ordinances.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But there’s no one on any planet that could read anything but a small sampling of the books that come out in a particular time period, even in a certain category.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Carolina Panthers’ defense improved in almost every major statistical category from 2024 to 2025.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The protests in Iran began two weeks ago in Tehran’s bazaars over rampant inflation, but have since spiraled into wider demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime, which has ruled the country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The protests, which began on December 28 as demonstrations in Tehran’s bazaars over rampant inflation, have since spread to more than 100 cities, posing the biggest challenge to the Iranian regime in years.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There's nothing quite like ripe, juicy blueberries picked at the height of the season.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Adding ripe avocado makes hummus greener, creamier, and more delicious.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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